houser



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. A. HOUSER. ROAD GRADER.

No. 454,048. Patented June 16,1891.

jnventov wdnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. HOUSER, OF FORT \VAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FLEMINGMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ROAD-GRADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 454,048, dated June 16,1891. I

Application filed August 1, 1890. Serial No. 360,687. '(No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. HO'USER, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of Fort Wayne, in Allen county and State ofIndiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRoad-Graders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of roadgraders in which the scraperis supported by an adjustable frame mounted upon wheels and adapted tothrow the earth either to the right or left.

The objects of my invention are to simplify the construction of thescraper-supporting frame, provide means whereby a single ring may beused with said frame and clamped therein when properly adjusted, and toprovide light, durable, and economical and efficient means therefor. Iattain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device mountedon wheels. Fig. 2 is a top view of the device; and Fig. 3 is a sectionalview of Fig. 2, taken on the line w 00.

Similarletters refer to similar parts th rou ghout the several views.

In the drawings I have not illustrated the mechanism for laterallyadjusting the frame, and have shown the simplest means for vertical adjustment,because the adjusting mechanism for these purposes constitutesno part of my invention, and any suitable means therefor may beemployed.

My invention consists in making the drawbar D circular at one end andadapted to inclose and clamp a single ring R, and providing it with aclamping device, means to support the ring, and means to attach thedraw-bar to the vertically-adjusting mechanism of the roadgrader. Thedraw-bar D is made circular at one end and adapted to inclose and clampthe ring R, except at 0, where the two sides E E project, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, and terminate at the other end of the draw-bar in a solidhead H, which is providedwith an eye 1', whereby-it is pivoted by a pin19 to the forward axle, or it may be connected to the axle 'by nuts, asshown in Fig. 2.

or tongue in any other suitable-manner. This draw-bar is also providedwith means to vertically support the ring R, preferably by lugs Ii, asshown. The ring is laterally supported by the rim of the draw-barinclosing it. The lugs L are placed on both sides of this rim andadapted to permit the movement of the ring between them. This is thepreferable construction; but other means may be used. to verticallysupport the ringsuch as flanges projecting inwardly from the circularpart of the draw-bar, having the same function-and I therefore do notconfine myself to the use of lugs.

The clamping device consists, preferably, of a clamping rod or bolt 0,passing through the two ends E E of the draw-bar and operated It may,however, be operated by a turn-buckle or other suitable device. By thismeans the ring R is clamped firmly and immovably in any position it maybe placed for diagonally adj usting the scraper-blade S. The effect isto make the ring and draw-bar substantially one piece, and thereby thedraft is applied directly to the points of contact of the curved arms Awith the ring R, the strain coming 011 both draw-bar and ring, givinggreater solidity to the scraper supporting frame and increasedefliciency and durability combined with lightness and economy ofconstruction. lVhen desired to change the adjustment of thescraper-blade, the clamp is loosened to permit the ring to be revolved.This drawbar is supported on the frame F, preferably, by projections Mon either side of the circular part, to which are pivoted or hinged thetwo supporting-rods N, which are attached to the vertically-adjustingmechanism of the frame F, as shown in Fig. 1.

The ring Ris provided with teeth T, Fig. 2, extending around a portionof its circumference, preferably upon the upper and inner side of itsrim, as shown. Arms A are rigidly attached to this ring and extenddownwardly curved to an attachment with the scraperblade S, as shown inFig. 1. This ring is revolved to throw the scraper-blade S in differentdiagonal positions, preferablyby means of a pinion P, meshing with theteeth T, which pinion is secured to a shafts, journaled in suitablebearings attached to the draw-bar D and provided with a hand-Wheel V;but I do not confine myself to this particular device for revolving thering, as any other suitable -method may be employed having the samefunction.

I am aware that prior to my invention scraper-blades have been attachedto single rings supported by a bifurcated draw-bar and provided withmeans to revolve them; also that two rings have been used, one tosupport the other, and attached to a bifurcated draw-bar or frame-work,and I therefore do not claim such combination, broadly; but

That I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

1. A supporting-frame for the scrapers of road-graders, consisting of adraw-bar made circular at one end and adapted to inclose a ring andclamp the same, in combination with a ring provided with arms to connectwith the scraper, means to rotate the ring, and means to clamp thedraw-bar upon the ring, substantially as described.

2. In road-graders, the combination of a frame mounted on Wheels andprovided with vertically adjusting mechanism with the draw-bar D theclamping-rod C, the ring R, the lugs L, and the projections M,substantially as described.

In road-graders having rings to which the scraper-blade is attached, asupportingframe for such rings, which consists of a continuous draw-barencircling the ring, adapted to support and clamp the same, and means toclamp the draw-bar around the ring.

JOHN A. HOUSER.

Witnesses:

H. C. HARTMAN, ALBERT BAKER.

